Even though MMA is arguably a newer and more evolved art, what you have to give to Shaolins
is they have some really badass exercises for bones and even for some supposedly soft spots.
Western martial arts do not seem to care at all about strengthening a warrior's defenses in any
way other than just teaching them how to avoid being hit; no exercises that increase your durability
in case you do get hit (and, let's face it, if you get into a fight, you will get hit eventually, no matter
how skillfully you dodge or parry).
Yes, I know, from the info I have absorbed, that those exercises should not be done without the
supervision of a qualified master. But, since the chances I'll ever come across a qualified Shaolin
master are only slightly greater than the chances Ariana Grande will knock my door and beg me
to marry her, I was like 'whatever, life is pointless unless do what fulfills you etc'
So, I decided to take a chance. I watched some videos on the matter and tried it myself, carefully.
-I tapped my shins with a bottle.
-I kicked a stone wall with the bridge of my foot and with my toes.
-I trained my hands using a tree in a way I saw in a video.
-I tried to condition some certain soft spots whose names I cannot mention for obvious reasons.
Okay, about that last part, I really had no idea how to do it, since there was no info other than some
videos with shaolins merely displaying their endurance when hit there. So I just took a chance on
my own responsibility and started with light punches. In the end, it was not as bad as it sounds,
I just needed to remain on my knees for a few seconds afterward until I could comfortably stand
up again.
What I made of my experience is that, if you listen to your body and don't increase the hit force
past the point you feel a slight discomfort, if you wait for 2-3 days till the red marks on the spots
you conditioned go away before trying again, there will be no problem.
The conditioning exercises were satisfying and I have considered including them in my workout
routine.
is they have some really badass exercises for bones and even for some supposedly soft spots.
Western martial arts do not seem to care at all about strengthening a warrior's defenses in any
way other than just teaching them how to avoid being hit; no exercises that increase your durability
in case you do get hit (and, let's face it, if you get into a fight, you will get hit eventually, no matter
how skillfully you dodge or parry).
Yes, I know, from the info I have absorbed, that those exercises should not be done without the
supervision of a qualified master. But, since the chances I'll ever come across a qualified Shaolin
master are only slightly greater than the chances Ariana Grande will knock my door and beg me
to marry her, I was like 'whatever, life is pointless unless do what fulfills you etc'
So, I decided to take a chance. I watched some videos on the matter and tried it myself, carefully.
-I tapped my shins with a bottle.
-I kicked a stone wall with the bridge of my foot and with my toes.
-I trained my hands using a tree in a way I saw in a video.
-I tried to condition some certain soft spots whose names I cannot mention for obvious reasons.
Okay, about that last part, I really had no idea how to do it, since there was no info other than some
videos with shaolins merely displaying their endurance when hit there. So I just took a chance on
my own responsibility and started with light punches. In the end, it was not as bad as it sounds,
I just needed to remain on my knees for a few seconds afterward until I could comfortably stand
up again.
What I made of my experience is that, if you listen to your body and don't increase the hit force
past the point you feel a slight discomfort, if you wait for 2-3 days till the red marks on the spots
you conditioned go away before trying again, there will be no problem.
The conditioning exercises were satisfying and I have considered including them in my workout
routine.